Ward was in his usual spot, rocked back in a chair with his feet on the unlit outdoor fireplace. Temperatures had risen into the eighties, forcing him to set up in a sliver of shade cast by the chimney. He was reading a dog-eared paperback from the lodge’s used book exchange since any devices with an ability to connect outside were being carefully controlled. He tossed it on the hearth as Rapp settled into a chair.

“You have enemies in high places, Nick.”

“I could have told you that and saved you the trip. Did you get the information you needed to plug the CIA’s leak? If so, I think I’d like to end our relationship. Obviously, David and I owe you our lives and I plan to make a wire transfer to your friend Claudia that will demonstrate that gratitude. Then we can shake hands and go our separate ways.”

“What about Scott?” Rapp said, evading the question.

“I’ve been impressed by him and his men. They’re all very professional and once they’re away from your influence, probably pretty easy to work with. I’m hoping to put together some kind of retainer deal with them.”

Rapp smiled. “I know you don’t like me much, Nick, but the feeling’s not mutual. You think I’m working just for my own account here, but that’s not true. I’ve done everything I can to keep you out of harm’s way.”

“You’ve done everything you can to keep me out of harm’s way as long as it doesn’t interfere with your mole hunt,” Ward corrected. “And the truth is that I don’t dislike you, Mitch. I just don’t trust you.”

Rapp put his feet on the hearth and gazed out over the landscape. “Trust is a hard word to define. At this level, it gets mixed up with motivation. I trust that you want to save the world and that you don’t want to get nailed to one of Gideon Auma’s crosses. You can trust that I want that mole’s head on my front gate and to protect my country. And we can both trust that the other is going to chase those interests hard. In the world we live in, those are the building blocks of a productive relationship.”

“In the world you live in.”

“Quit busting my balls, Nick. You and David are alive. Your research team will have a safe working environment going forward and you’ve eliminated one of the most brutal terrorists on the planet. When the president of Uganda finds out what you’ve done, you won’t be able to get arrested in this country. Take the win.”

“Mitch Rapp. Employee of the Month,” Ward said.